High School Musical 3 - The costumes

Costume designer Caroline B. Marx took the big screen to heart when it came to wardrobe for High School Musical 3.

“The costumes for HSM3 are more fashion forward; each character is clearly defined,” says Marx. “Layering of the actual pieces and attention to detail was very important for the big screen. In this film, we find each character growing up. Their costumes show their individual personalities.”

Director Ortega was very pleased with the vision Marx brought to the clothes. “Caroline is really wonderful and open and brought some wonderful new ideas to the musical. It’s bigger and more colorful and more exaggerated than ever. Because we introduce more fantasy and peek into the future, we could go places with the costuming in ‘High School Musical 3’ that we haven’t been able to visit before. And Caroline helped take us there.”

“Caroline came to us because of her inventiveness,” adds producer Rosenbush. “She has an amazing ability to take practical clothes - for graduations and prom and basketball games - and add the sparkle of Hollywood.”

Marx began prepping for the feature film five months prior to cameras rolling. “I wanted to make sure we were ahead of the game in terms of trends, so when the movie came out we’d hit at the same time or even further ahead of hot styles,” she says. “I went to Fashion Week in New York, attending 37 shows and as many parties as well as visiting showrooms and meeting with a lot of designers.” Marx worked closely with the cast on their wardrobes. “After almost four years, they really know who their characters are,” she says.

The costume designer wanted Zac Efron’s character Troy to channel a James Dean/Young Elvis look, with a color palate of mostly blue and gray tones. Troy wears primarily slim-cut Diesel denim jeans and James Perse classic tees with Converse high top sneakers or low-top Vans.

Vanessa Hudgen’s Gabriella has a very innocent, girl-next-door feel. “Gabriella’s costumes have an arc. She starts in her quintessential white, blue, green and yellow floral dresses, sometimes with little cardigans. As time passes in the film, she becomes more self-aware and begins to take on a more “boho” style of dress,” says Marx. Hudgens wears clothes by American Eagle, Free People, Velvet, Miss Sixty (Italian), and Dutch designer Tony Cohen in the film.

Sharpay’s look is very expensive and over-the-top, with the majority of her clothes enhanced with Swarovski crystals. Labels include Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, L.A.M.B., Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, Diesel, Sheri Bodell, Rock n Republic boots and oversized bags, and accessories from Kitson. “Hot pink and feathers are a focus for Sharpay,” says Marx.

Marx took Ryan’s wardrobe directly from the runway with neon pink Marc Jacobs pants, a J. Lindenberg nylon blazer and Paul Smith floral pants (with added side stripe) tucked into police boots. “He is usually wearing a Goorin Bros. fedora hat,” says Marx. “For the prom, he sports a bowler hat, inspired by a popular Spanish trend.”

According to Marx, Corbin Bleu’s Chad is the first character on film to wear primarily organic and sustainable clothing and shoes. “His entire wardrobe gives off a very eco-friendly vibe,” says the costume designer. His American Apparel organic tees feature custom eco friendly messages such as “My dog didn’t eat my homework, I recycled it” and “Greenster".” Marx found designers and companies that manufactured green products, including G-Star, Livity Outernational, Alternative Earth, Lucky Brand, NIKE and Maasi Treads.

Marx describes Monique Coleman’s Taylor as “brainiac and business like with a feminine edge.” Taylor wears primarily J. Crew and Banana Republic sweaters and sweater vests over Theory and G-Star button front shirts (worn untucked), with skirts by Marc Jacobs, Piazza Simione and Corey Lynn Calter. “We feel that she’s going on to be the future President of the United States so we gave her a very conservative look,” says Marx.

Marx says the wardrobe for Olesya Rulin’s Kelsi is very funky and artsy, but with a vintage feel that includes men’s blazers and vests from Club Monaco and French Connection, and vintage character tees by Disney Couture. Kelsi’s primary designer was artist Elisa Jimenez of “Project Runway.” “The wardrobe has changed with Kelsi, going from ill fitting clothes to tight fitting and funkified,” says Marx.

Kaycee Stroh’s Martha takes on a very 80s vibe, “early Madonna combined with an urban hip-hop flare,” says Marx. “She wears lots of leggings, multiple strands of pearls, bangles, multiple rubber bracelets and bandannas in her hair.”

Ryne Sanborn’s Jason sports the preppy East Coast jock. “He wears polos with the collars worn up, button down over-shirts worn open and un-tucked, with either pinstripe, plaid or khaki cargo shorts or jeans."

Chris Warren Jr.’s Zeke is young, hip and preppy with a crisp urban flare. “He wears oversize polos and shorts,” says Marx. Zeke’s chef-wear was customized with Wildcat emblems: his white chef hat bears the paw print, and his red apron the collegiate “E.”

Jemma McKenzie-Brown’s Tiara took on an English school girl look.

Matt Prokop’s Jimmie was given an ‘Emo vibe’ with a little slacker/skater mixed in.
Justin Martin’s Donny Dion sported a wardrobe that was a little conservative with a cool edge.

The prom dresses for Gabriella, Sharpay, Taylor and Kelsi are original designs by Marx and manufactured by famed Madonna seamstress Zoya Bergam.

“It’s every girl’s dream is to have that perfect prom dress,” says Rosenbush. “Caroline put the magic into the ordinary and made it extraordinary.”


High School Musical 3: Senior Year will be released in UK cinemas on 24th October 2008.